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A major effort from prosecutors ensures convicted killer is behind bars

In fact, this is the first time in all the years I’ve covered the courts that a judge set bail for a man convicted of third-degree murder before the case was on appeal.

Judge Jeffrey K. Sprecher is unpredictable.

Jose Bonilla-Ortiz, 32, was convicted on Monday of third-degree murder in the slaying of Richard D. Gonzalez, 28, of Prince George’s County, Md. He was also convicted of aggravated assault and weapons in a brawl in which two victims were shot in the legs on Nov. 8, 2009.

After the conviction, Sprecher brought up the issue of bail. Bonilla-Ortiz was acquitted of first-degree murder, which, by law, does not allow bail. But third-degree murder does.